Playing Monopoly With God & Other True Stories at Kuumbwa Jazz Center

In September 2012, at 40 years old, Melissa Bangs gave birth to her beautiful daughter Adelaide. A month later, dramatically hormone depleted and sleep deprived, Melissa is admitted to the Providence Psychiatric Facilities in a complete manic state. After nearly a month, she is sent home with a bipolar diagnosis and on lithium. What comes next is an extraordinary journey.

On her path back to wholeness, one of the things Bangs did was read her entire 100 plus page hospital record. Somewhere, around page 87, there is a nurse’s note that looks as if it were scribbled late at night after a long shift. It reads, “Patient says she will do comedy on this experience.” Upon reading this, Bangs laughed out loud. ...

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In September 2012, at 40 years old, Melissa Bangs gave birth to her beautiful daughter Adelaide. A month later, dramatically hormone depleted and sleep deprived, Melissa is admitted to the Providence Psychiatric Facilities in a complete manic state. After nearly a month, she is sent home with a bipolar diagnosis and on lithium. What comes next is an extraordinary journey.

On her path back to wholeness, one of the things Bangs did was read her entire 100 plus page hospital record. Somewhere, around page 87, there is a nurse’s note that looks as if it were scribbled late at night after a long shift. It reads, “Patient says she will do comedy on this experience.” Upon reading this, Bangs laughed out loud.

The psych team couldn’t have possibly known that Bangs has been a storyteller her entire life and did comedy for a stint, as a student, at the Upright Citizens’ Brigade in New York City. They couldn't have known that transforming details from the most painful experience of her life into a room full of laughter would prove healing for so many.

Join Melissa for an evening of true stories full of bewilderment, chaos and hilarity. Bangs has a knack for telling true stories that cut to the bone of our shared, vulnerable human condition. Her true gift, however, comes in the moments in which she’s able to strip away the shame or agony of an experience and transform the room into an uproar of laughter.

VIDEO TRAILER: http://www.playingmonopolywithgod.com/shows

REVIEW: http://mamalode.com/story/detail/playing-monopoly-with-god-a-review

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